This Weekend in Street Fests
By Chuck Sudo in Arts & Entertainment on Aug 19, 2011 9:45PM
The Air and Water Show is set to bring an estimated 2 million people to the lakefront this weekend. Proceed at your own peril.
Closer just slightly inland is the final Wrigleyville Block Party of the season. These street fairs coinciding with the Cubs' series against the Yankees, White Sox and now Cardinals were originally supposed to block off Sheffield, in the same manner they set up for last fall's Allstate Wrigleyville Classic. Businesses and homeowners around Wrigley Field objected, so the Cubs are squeezing the fest into the parking lot adjacent to the ballpark on Clark Street, making the ring of Hell that is parking in the neighborhood on game days even more of a futile endeavor.
Wayyyy up north, the Glenwood Avenue Arts Festival kicks off tonight at 6 p.m. Over 100 artists of all disciplines will be presenting their work, open studios, and live entertainment on three outdoor stages along the cobblestone streets of the Glenwood Avenue Arts District. (6900 N. Glenwood Ave.)
The Taste of Austin is a three day neighborhood festival that has been a tradition on the West side for the past 30 years. The festival is filled with food vendors, non-food vendors, music, entertainment, businesses and local agencies promoting their products and programs. (Columbus Park, 5701 W. Jackson Dr., today through Sunday.)
The Ukrainian Days Festival, which promises plenty of live music, dance performances, ethnic food, children's activities, sports competitions, craft vendors and much more family-friendly fun. (Smith Park, 2500 W. Grand, Noon- 10 p.m. tomorrow and Sunday.)
The inaugural South Shore Summer Festival runs tomorrow from 10 a.m. - 8 p.m. Entertainment includes Russell Thompkins Jr. and The New Stylistics, Maggie Brown, Kim Stratton, Universal Alley Jazz, Avian Hightower and Full Circle, The South Shore Drill Team and more. Kids activities provided by Chicago Park District at Woodhull Park between 12pm - 3pm. Come out and enjoy the Food and Merchant vendors from the South Shore community and beyond. Discover or expand your knowledge of the South Shore community by taking a bus tour in partnership with Chicago Architecture Foundation. (73rd Street between Stony Island Blvd. and Ridgeland Ave.)
Love Chicago music and Chicago hot dogs? North Side Summerfest is the place for you.
Enjoy the best hot dogs from all over the city and live bands in the heart of North Center. Enjoy hot dogs from hot spots like Black Rock, Browntrout, Pitchfork and Sola or save your appetite for the hot dog eating contest at 2pm on Sunday, (Lincoln Ave. at Irving Park Rd., Noon - 10 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. Sunday.)